Methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services are provided. A method includes, from a single user interface: creating a library of content items, creating at least one other content item that includes an electronic greeting, and associating at least one component of the library with the electronic greeting to form an arrangement. The electronic greeting includes an electronic greeting card and a personalized message. The electronic greeting also includes a gift associated with a unique code. The gift includes one or more of a: music selection, movie, computer game, and video game. The gift is retrievable via electronic download upon entry of the unique code.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/911,864, filed on Aug. 5, 2004, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to online services, and moreparticularly, to methods, systems, and storage mediums for providingmulti-media content storage and management services over a network.

Advancements in the networking technologies have stimulated thedevelopment of new ways of communicating. For example, networkcommunications include email, instant messaging, chat rooms, messageboards, and text messaging, to name a few. Advancements in technologieshave also provided consumers with new tools for managing theirelectronic content such as digital photos, videos, music, etc. Serviceproviders generally offer a limited set of services to its customers forimplementing these types of communications and managing their content,primarily because of the obstacles they face in handling the varioustypes of content (e.g., text, images, video, audio, etc.) and the verydifferent system and software requirements associated with managingthese types of content. As a result, consumers must choose a serviceprovider and/or service system that best meet their individual needs,which may force the consumers to forego other desired services.

What is needed, therefore, is a way to integrate multi-media contentitems and services that enable individuals to manage and communicatethese items within the context of a single system and service.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include methods, systems, andstorage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and managementservices over a network. From a single user interface, a method includescreating a library of content items, creating at least one other contentitem that includes an electronic greeting, and associating at least onecomponent of the library with the electronic greeting to form anarrangement. The electronic greeting includes an electronic greetingcard and a personalized message. The electronic greeting also includes agift associated with a unique code. The gift includes one or more of a:music selection, movie, computer game, and video game. The gift isretrievable via electronic download upon entry of the unique code.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, be within thescope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alikein the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system upon which the multi-media content storageand management system may be implemented in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram describing a process for implementingthe multi-media content storage and management system in exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample user interface screen and main menu foraccessing the features provided by the multi-media content storage andmanagement system in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating a photoalbum and related content items in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sample user interface screen for uploading andediting images and associating the images with a photo album inexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sample user interface screen including a photoalbum and related content items created via the user interface screensof FIGS. 4 and 5 in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating anewsletter and associating the newsletter with a photo album inexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a sample user interface screen and newsletterincluding photo album images created via the user interface screen ofFIG. 7 in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating anelectronic greeting via the multi-media content storage and managementsystem in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sample user interface screen for attaching one ormore music selections to an electronic greeting created via the userinterface screen of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sample user interface screen with selected musicitems, prices, and payment instructions for attaching a music selectionto an electronic greeting created via the user interface screen of FIGS.9 and 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a sample electronic greeting created via the userinterface screens of FIGS. 9-11; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a sample user interface screen for retrieving amusic selection acquired by a recipient of an electronic greeting inexemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The multi-media content storage and management system merges a varietyof different services into a single user interface for providing acomprehensive and efficient means for creating, communicating, andmanaging multi-media content materials. In accordance with exemplaryembodiments, a system for providing multi-media content storage andmanagement services will now be described with respect to FIG. 1. Thesystem of FIG. 1 includes a host system 102 comprising servers 104 and adata storage device 106. In exemplary embodiments, host system 102refers to an entity providing at least a portion of the multi-mediacontent and storage management services as described further herein.Host system 102 may comprise a service provider such as an Internetservice provider, web hosting service provider, a web portal provider,or similar type of business enterprise. As shown and described withrespect to FIG. 1, host system 102 is an Internet service provider thatprovides a web portal, web hosting services, messaging services, as wellas the multi-media content storage and management services to itscustomers. Host system 102 provides a web portal interface for itscustomers through which various services may be accessed andimplemented. The web portal interface may include general informationand links to external sources of information and may also provide themain interface for initiating the services available through themulti-media content storage and management system.

Servers 104 may comprise any suitable high-speed processors orcombination of processors for handling the volume of activitiesconducted on behalf of customers of the host system 102. Servers 104,for example, may comprise a Real Helix™ server by RealNetworks, Inc., ofSeattle, Wash. Servers 104 may also include a web hosting serverapplication, one or more messaging server applications, and databasemanagement server applications for handling the content in data storagedevice 106. Messaging applications may include email, text messaging,chat rooms, message boards, newsletters, instant mail, etc. One or moreof servers 104 may also execute a billing application, a firewall orsecurity software, content editing tools, and an application forproviding the multi-media content and storage management services. Thebilling application may be linked to the multi-media content storage andmanagement system whereby customers are billed for the services providedby the multi-media content storage and management system as well asother network services (e.g., Internet access, web hosting, musicdownloads, etc.)

One or more of servers 104 may also provide customers with a link to adomain name registration service provider for establishing a domainname. The multi-media content storage and management system providescustomers with a single interface for implementing a variety of servicessuch as online storage of digital, video, and/or audio content, webhosting services, messaging services, music selection and storage, andprovides templates for creating content arrangements, accessing externalresources over a network 110, and communicating created contentarrangements to others. These features are described further herein.

Servers 104 may communicate with storage device 106 over a network 108such as an Intranet, Extranet, local area network, or similar networkingtopology. Storage device 106 houses content provided by customers andprovides access to the content upon request to the customers and thecustomers' designated recipients. Content includes, e.g., digital imagesand albums, video and video libraries, audio libraries, etc. Storagedevice 106 may also store a music base, movie base, and/or computergames for selection by customers as will be described further herein.Large downloads/uploads relating to image files and video files may befacilitated by a turbo feature incorporated into the multi-media contentstorage and management system as described further herein.

Client devices 112-114 are also included in the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with exemplary embodiments. Client devices 112-114 refer todevices operated by customers of host system 102. Client devices 112-114may include wireline computer devices, wireless mobile computing devicesand telephones, and similar network-enabled devices. A mobile telephoneclient device may include a built-in digital camera/video recorder andfeatures for transmitting images, video and sound by telephone to hostsystem 102. Similarly, a digital/video camera may be coupled to acomputer client device whereby images/video (and audio) is uploaded tohost system 102.

Client devices 112-114 may communicate with host system 102 over acommunications network such as a packet-switched network (Internet,Extranet, Virtual Private Network) using various packet-switchingtechnologies such as Internet Protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM), among others. Client devices may also communicateover a wireless network, e.g., a cellular or satellite communicationsnetwork. Client devices 112-114 access the network 110 via, e.g., amodem and dial up service, broadband cable Internet service, wirelessservice provider, etc. Client devices 112-114 may include web browsers,messaging applications, content player applications (e.g., video and/oraudio), and may also execute a portion of the multi-media contentstorage and management system as described further herein. Internetenabled, web browser, downloaded invention software, repository formedia (digital images, video), media player, digital camera, videocamera with upload ability to transfer media to computer; telephone mayhave built in camera and wireless service provider for sending imagesand video over network to host system;

Host system 102 may outsource a portion of the services it offers tothird party service provider systems such as service provider system 116as shown in the system of FIG. 1. For example, third party serviceprovider system 116 may provide streaming video services to customers ofhost system 102. Alternatively, third party service provider system 116may provide digital image processing services such as those provided byOfoto, Inc., of Emeryville, Calif., Snapfish, Inc. of San Francisco,Calif., or other similar service provider entities.

The multi-media content storage and management system merges a varietyof different services into a single user interface for providing acomprehensive and efficient means for creating, communicating, andmanaging multi-media content materials.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary process for executing themulti-media content storage and management system will now be described.A user of one of client systems 112-114 logs in to the multi-mediacontent storage and management system at 202 and the main menu screen300 of FIG. 3 is presented. As is shown in main menu screen 300, a usermay select from a listing of service options 302-310 relating tomulti-media content such as images, video, audio, text, as well as thecreation, storage, and messaging of this multi-media content.Additionally, these services are linked together in such a manner that,for example, a user may create a photo album via option 302 andassociate the photo album with a music selection without returning tothe main menu 300.

Returning now to FIG. 2, a user who wishes to create a music library,edit a music library, or otherwise access music from a music libraryselects the ‘my music library’ option 306 from main menu screen 300 at204. A music base of song content may be stored in storage device 106for quick access and retrieval. When the user has completed thetransaction at 206, the multi-media content storage and managementsystem transmits the details to a billing application on one of servers104 for tracking and billing the user's account at 208. The user thenlogs out of the application at 238. In alternate embodiments, the musicbase may be provided by a third-party service provider. In yet furtherembodiments, other types of content in addition to, or in lieu of, musicmay be provided such as movies and computer/video games.

If the user has not completed the transaction at 206, the user maycontinue on to 210 to create or modify a photo album or video libraryor, alternatively, the user may proceed directly to this option from 202by selecting ‘my photo albums’ option 302 or ‘my video library’ option304 from main menu screen 300. For example, a user selects my photoalbums option 302 in order to upload digital images to online storageallocated for the user in storage device 106. The multi-media contentstorage and management system may provide software for the user (e.g.,via download) for assisting the user throughout the process. Thesoftware may include editing tools for enhancing the images' quality andappearance and for designing a photo album. The user may optionallyselect music to be associated with the album/library from a personalmusic library or directly from the music base if desired at 212. Theprocesses involved with respect to these features are similar and so thephoto album feature only will be described for illustrative purposes.

In alternate embodiments, host system 102 may outsource an imageprocessing service to a third party service provider at 214. The imagesare either directly uploaded to the third party service provider by alink or may be transmitted by the host system 102. A user selects myphoto albums option 302 on main menu screen 300 and the user interfacescreen 400 of FIG. 4 is presented to the user. User interface screen 400provides fields for selection and input by the user including a namefield for the album to be created in ‘Name of Album’ field 402 and analbum description field of the album in ‘Description of Album’ field404. Additional options are also available to the user, such as addingcontent communications (e.g., a message board, a chat room, and/or anewsletter) via fields 406 as shown in FIG. 4. These features aredescribed further herein. The user is also queried whether the photoalbum and related content communications should be available to thepublic via ‘Display to Public’ field 408. Access to the photo album andrelated content may be provided by invitation only using ‘Invite othersto view’ field 410. The user may also password protect the photo albumand related content if desired by selecting ‘Yes’ from the ‘Passwordprotect’ field 412.

In creating a photo album, the multi-media content storage andmanagement system may prompt the user to select frames, mats,backgrounds, etc. (not shown) for the photos to be included in thealbum. These selections may be provided via the software downloaded asdescribed above. Once the selections have been made, the user selectsthe particular photos to be included in the album. These photos may comefrom images already stored online or may reside on the user's clientsystem. If the photos reside on the user's client system, the userselects the UPLOAD PHOTOS option 416 on user interface screen 400 andthe multi-media content storage and management system presents the userinterface screen 500 as shown in FIG. 5.

The user may browse existing photos stored on the client system viafield 502 and select the ‘Add to Album’ option 504 when a photo orcollection is found. Uploading large digital image files may consume asignificant amount of time and resources of the client system. Themulti-media content storage and management system may include a ‘turbo’feature that enables the user to upload (or download) content at speedsmuch faster than the speeds at which the client system normallyfunctions. This ‘turbo’ feature may be provided as a value-added serviceto the user and billed each time the feature is accessed, or may befactored into the fees associated with a user account. Alternatively, auser may be granted a specific number of ‘free’ turbo accesses over aspecified length of time and any additional use is charged to the useraccount.

The photos to be added to a photo album selected by the user are shownin frame 506 of user interface screen 500. Additional functionality thatmay be provided by the multi-media content storage and management systemvia the user interface screen 500 includes an editing option. A user mayclick on a collection of photos from frame 506 and the photos aredisplayed along with an editing tool for removing red-eye, sizereduction, etc. The user may also add a caption by selecting the ‘Addcaption’ option 508 next to the desired photo group. A photo may beremoved from the group by selecting the ‘Remove’ option 510 next to thephoto group presented in frame 506.

If the user has not selected any of the options provided in fields406-412 (e.g., the user desires only to create and store the photoalbum), the process is finished at 216, the user's account is billed bythe billing application at 218, and the user logs out of the multi-mediacontent storage and management system at 238. A sample photo album isshown in FIG. 6. Interactive functionality may be added to the photoalbum as shown in FIG. 6 such as ‘discuss photo’ 602, ‘Start a Chat’604, ‘View Newsletter’ 606, ‘Email to a friend’ 608, and ‘View allAlbums’ 610. Also, a slide show option 612 may be included that enablesthe viewer to view the album in full screen. The multi-media contentstorage and management system also enables a viewer to download thephoto 614, download the album 616, and order prints 618. The downloadingfeatures may be enhanced via the ‘turbo’ option described above.Additionally, the order prints option 618 may be linked to a third partyphoto service provider that processes the photo and enhances itsquality, size, or other editing options.

If, on the other hand, the user is not finished with the photo album at216 (e.g., the user wishes to create and associate one or more ofcontent communications listed in fields 406), then the process continuesat 220 whereby the user selects ‘Yes’ from one or more of fields 406.Alternatively, the user may directly access this function by selecting‘my site’ option 308 or ‘e-greetings & gifts’ option 310 from main menuscreen 300. Host system 102 may provide users with web hosting servicesas described above with respect to FIG. 1. The web hosting services mayinclude providing the user with a direct link to a domain nameregistration service provider for acquiring a domain name, as well asweb page creation services, and web page hosting and content storageservices. A user who has acquired this service may add, modify, andcommunicate content via a personal web site hosted by host system 102.The user may select ‘my site’ option 308 in order to link content intheir personal photo albums, video libraries, music libraries, andcommunications functions (e.g., newsletter, chat room, message boards,etc.) to their personal web page using the multi-media content storageand management system.

A user who wishes to add additional content to a photo album, or createnew content for a personal web site selects the appropriate option onscreen 300 of FIG. 3 (e.g., ‘my site’ 308 or if in the photo albummodule, selects one of fields 406). For illustrative purposes, it isassumed that the user has selected a newsletter for creation. Themulti-media content storage and management system displays a userinterface screen 700 of FIG. 7 for creating a newsletter at 222. A userselects a newsletter template, a sample of which is shown in frame 702.A field is provided for adding a headline for the newsletter 704. Theuser then enters the main text for the news item in field 706. Ifdesired, the user may add a photo to the newsletter via frame 708. Thismay be accomplished by uploading an image file from the user's directoryon a client system or may be selected from uploaded content in theuser's photo album stored in storage device 106. If the user uploads aphoto from a client system, the multi-media content storage andmanagement system provides the option of linking the photo to anexisting photo album via link 714 which, upon selection, provides a pulldown menu of the user's albums. Once completed, the user selects ‘savenews item’ 716 or may select ‘cancel’ 718 as desired. Additionally, auser may associate selected music items from the user's music library ordirectly from the music base in storage device 106 if desired at 224.

Access permissions may be selected by the user at 226 for controllingthe access of the created content. The user may also designate specifiedrecipients with which the content will be shared at 228. For example,the user may provide email addresses for desired recipients of thecontent.

A sample newsletter created by the multi-media content storage andmanagement system is shown in FIG. 8. The photos provided in thenewsletter may be linked to a photo album whereby a viewer can select‘view the entire photo album’ 804 and the collection of photosassociated with the album are displayed for the viewer. The newsletterphotos may also be linked to an email server (e.g., one of servers 104)whereby a viewer may send a newsletter photo to a recipient by selecting‘email to a friend’ option 806.

Other content communications may be selected by a user in addition tonewsletters as described above at 220. The multi-media content storageand management system includes an electronic greetings (e-greetings) andgifts module 310 as described herein. E-greetings may comprise anelectronic card with a personalized text message, and may also includean attached photo, video, music, movie, or other similar type of content(e.g., a gift from the user). A user accesses this feature by selecting‘e-greetings & gifts’ option 310 from main menu screen 300 and the userinterface screen 900 of FIG. 9 is presented. If desired, the userselects a photo via field 902 or may simply select an e-card without aphoto via field 904. Field 904 may include a drop down list of availablecards for selection. A personalized message may be added via text box906. The user enters the email address of the recipient in field 908.Optionally, the user may associate a song, movie, video, or other itemto the e-card via field 910. Once selected, the multi-media contentstorage and management system presents the user interface screen 1000 ofFIG. 10. Screen 1000 displays the selections 1002, along with a link topurchase the item 1004, and may include an option to preview theselection before purchasing via field 1006. The user may then perform anew search if desired via field 1008 if the current selection is notsatisfactory. Once the selections have been made, the multi-mediacontent storage and management system presents a user interface screen1100 of FIG. 11 displaying the selections 1102 and their costs 1104. Theuser interface screen 1100 also prompts the user to proceed to a paymentscreen (not shown) via field 1106.

A sample e-greeting is shown in FIG. 12. If a ‘gift’ has been associatedwith the e-greeting, instructions are provided in screen 1200 foraccessing the gift. A web site address may be provided to the recipientof the e-greeting for retrieving the gift item as well as a unique code.A sample user interface screen for retrieving the gift is shown in FIG.13. A field 1302 is shown that prompts the recipient to pick up theirgift. The recipient enters the code provided to them in the e-greetingand a link for downloading the gift item is presented to the recipient.Host system 102 may employ digital rights management techniques forcontrolling access to content that may be protected by copyright,licensing, etc.

As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form ofcomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing thoseprocesses. The present invention can also be embodied in the form ofcomputer program code containing instructions embodied in tangiblemedia, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any othercomputer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer programcode is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes anapparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can alsobe embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whetherstored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer,or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/orexecuted by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium,such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or viaelectromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code isloaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatusfor practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purposemicroprocessor, the computer program code segments configure themicroprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying outthis invention, but that the invention will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the claims.

1. A method for providing multi-media content storage and managementservices, comprising: from a single user interface: creating a libraryof content items comprising at least one of a photo library and a videolibrary; creating at least one other content item comprising anelectronic greeting, wherein the electronic greeting includes anelectronic greeting card and a personalized message, wherein theelectronic greeting further includes a gift associated with a uniquecode, the gift comprising at least one of a: music selection, movie,computer game, and video game, wherein the gift is retrievable viaelectronic download upon entry of the unique code; and associating atleast one component of the library with the electronic greeting to forman arrangement.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the single userinterface provides transactional services including selecting, editing,billing, purchasing and delivering of the arrangement to one of a user,a designated recipient of the user, and a third party service provider.3. The method of claim 1, associating a music selection with thearrangement.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the library ofcontent items includes: editing components of the library; and addingcaptions to components of the library.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereincreating the library of content items further includes transmitting thelibrary of content items to a third party service provider forprocessing.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising trackingactivities conducted relating to the content items and linking theactivities to a billing system.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thelibrary of content items is uploaded or downloaded via a single accesshigh-speed turbo component.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thedelivering of the arrangement includes uploading and downloading using afree turbo feature granted to the user for a specific number of freehigh-speed uploads and free high-speed downloads of the arrangement. 9.A system for providing multi-media content storage and managementservices, comprising: a host system comprising at least one serverexecuting a web server application, a real-time media deliveryapplication; and a multi-media content storage and managementapplication; and a link to a client system; wherein the multi-mediacontent storage and management application includes providing a singleuser interface to the client system, and wherein the single userinterface is operable for enabling the client system to perform:creating a library of content items comprising at least one of a photolibrary and a video library; creating at least one other content itemcomprising an electronic greeting, wherein the electronic greetingincludes an electronic card and a personalized message, wherein theelectronic greeting further includes a gift associated with a uniquecode, the gift comprising at least one of a: music selection, movie,computer game, and video game, and wherein the gift is retrievable viaelectronic download upon entry of the unique code; and associating atleast one component of the library with the electronic greeting to forman arrangement.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a storagedevice in communication with the host system, the storage device housingmulti-media content; wherein the multi-media content includes music, andthe user interface is further operable for enabling the client system toperform associating a music selection with the arrangement.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the single user interface providestransactional services including selecting, editing, billing, purchasingand delivering of the arrangement to one of a user, a designatedrecipient of the user and a third party service provider.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein the delivering of the arrangement includes uploadingand downloading using a free turbo feature granted to the user for aspecific number of free high-speed uploads and free high-speed downloadsof the arrangement.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein creating thelibrary of content items includes: editing components of the library;and adding captions to components of the library.
 14. The system ofclaim 9, further comprising a link to the third party service provider,wherein creating the library of content items further includestransmitting the library of content items to a third party serviceprovider for processing.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at leastone server executes a billing application, wherein the server tracksactivities conducted relating to the content items and transmits detailsof the activities to the billing application.
 16. The system of claim 9,wherein the library of content items is uploaded or downloaded via asingle access high-speed turbo component provided by the user interface.17. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable program code forproviding multi-media content storage and management services, theprogram code including instructions for causing a computer to implementa method, comprising: from a single user interface of the computer:creating a library of content items comprising at least one of a photolibrary and a video library; creating at least one other content itemcomprising an electronic greeting, wherein the electronic greetingincludes an electronic card and a personalized message, wherein theelectronic greeting further includes a gift associated with a uniquecode, the gift comprising at least one of a: music selection, movie,computer game, and video game, and wherein the gift is retrievable viaelectronic download upon entry of the unique code; and associating atleast one component of the library with the at least one other contentitem to form an arrangement.
 18. The storage medium of claim 17, whereinthe single user interface provides transactional services includingselecting, editing, billing, purchasing and delivering of thearrangement to one of a user, a designated recipient of the user and athird party service provider.
 19. The storage medium of claim 17,further comprising instructions for implementing: associating a musicselection with the arrangement.
 20. The storage medium of claim 17,wherein the delivering of the arrangement includes uploading anddownloading using a free turbo feature granted to the user for aspecific number of free high-speed uploads and free high-speed downloadsof the arrangement.